LEP board role for lead Export Network ambassador Eric Hawthorn

17 February 2014

Lead export ambassador in the Export Network initiative, Eric Hawthorn, has been appointed to the board of Leeds City Region’s Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). 

Eric, managing director of telecommunications company, Radio Design, Shipley, has joined the LEP board after three years on its Business Innovation and Growth Panel where he helped launch the We Are International export campaign. 

In his new role, Eric will continue as the LEP’s chief international trade adviser as well giving advice on enterprise, business innovation, SME competitiveness and the manufacturing sector. 

He says: “I'm looking forward to working with my fellow board members to fully realise Leeds City Region's enormous economic potential – and ensure the We are International campaign goes from strength to strength in helping local firms fulfil their export potential."

Eric founded Radio Design in 2007 and has managed its growth from 11 staff in Shipley to a global operation with more than 250 staff in six countries, including China and India. Radio Design has won a Queen's Award for Enterprise: Innovation, was a supplier to the 2012 London Olympics, and expects a £20m plus turnover this year with ambitious plans for further export-led expansion. 

We are International is led by the Leeds City Region LEP in partnership with UKTI Yorkshire and Humber, Chamber International and Enterprise Europe Network Yorkshire. It aims to add £1.6bn to the Leeds City Region economy by encouraging more companies to realise the business opportunities of international trade

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